Systems and methods for tracking and providing workflow information

ABSTRACT

A tangible computer-readable storage device storing computer-executable program instructions that generate a user interface for displaying workflow information associated with a tissue specimen in a pathology laboratory. The program instructions may perform a method including displaying a virtual laboratory component representing a physical pathology laboratory having one or more laboratory stations for processing the tissue specimen according to a workflow, and displaying a specimen indicator that indicates a current specimen state based on a current relationship of the tissue specimen to the workflow. The method may further include enabling a first active component associated with the virtual laboratory component, wherein the first active component is configured to receive a user selection of a laboratory station and generating a supplemental view component of the selected laboratory station in response to the user selection, wherein the supplemental view provides supplemental information on processing by the selected laboratory station of the tissue specimen.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/143,274, filed on Dec. 20, 2013, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/690,032, filed on Nov. 30, 2012 andgranted as U.S. Pat. No. 8,645,167, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/394,324, filed on Feb. 27, 2009 andgranted as U.S. Pat. No. 8,346,574, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/071,852, filed on May 21, 2008, and U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/064,359, filed on Feb. 29, 2008, all ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to laboratory data and, moreparticularly, to tracking and providing workflow data associated with alaboratory to a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Advances in analytical science have made it possible to extract a widevariety of information from a biological specimen. For example, it maybe possible to assess the health, identify possible future healthissues, and provide information related to the genetic makeup of anindividual from which the specimen was obtained. The benefits of suchanalysis, however, may be lost if results are associated with the wrongindividual and/or if the specimen is processed incorrectly.

Many of these biological specimens may be processed in laboratories. Thelaboratory may receive such specimens from institutions, including, forexample, hospitals, clinics, and/or the police, and also, to a lesserextent, from individuals themselves. These specimens may include, forexample, tissue removed during a surgical procedure, tissue from crimescenes, and test materials from a home testing kit (e.g., an HIV test),among other things.

In a laboratory, many resources and man-hours may be consumed toprocess, prepare, and test a specimen. Each specimen may also passthrough many lab stations and may be handled by many operators, leadingto potential losses in efficiency and clerical errors, among otherthings. For example, a laboratory may use an accessioning station toreceive and prep the specimen (e.g., by labeling the specimen, listingthe requested tests, etc.) before further analysis. After accessioning,a technician may carry a specimen to a grossing station to measure, cut,and record a description of the specimen. The specimen may then bemanually altered (e.g., by embedding, sectioning, staining, imaging,etc.) at subsequent stations where process data may or may not betracked. Throughout execution of these processes, multiple techniciansmay handle the specimen and record data associated with it. Each stationor process thus introduces more costs and opportunities for error. Forexample, one or more technicians may repeatedly perform process stepsincorrectly (e.g., use an incorrect stain, embed a sample in too muchparaffin, section a specimen too closely, etc.). Because such processesmay not be tracked, and/or because such data may not be easily andsuccinctly summarized for review by administrators, costly errors may gouncorrected.

To help avoid errors during the lab processing, laboratories may employelaborate systems of paperwork. However, this incurs yet additionalexpenses. Many laboratories use log books, tracking sheets, and othermanual processes to help identify and track specimens. However, thesemanual methods do not adequately provide information on the workflow ofa specimen as it is processed in the laboratory. Nor do manual methodslend themselves to quickly and efficiently providing high-level summarydata to the lab manager or others with an interest in gaining anunderstanding of the overall operations of the laboratory. There thusexists a need to track and provide workflow information associated witha specimen as it is processed in a laboratory and to present theinformation in meaningful ways at both detailed and macro levels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to some aspects the present disclosure provides a tangiblecomputer-readable storage device storing computer-executable programinstructions that generate a user interface for displaying workflowinformation associated with a tissue specimen in a pathology laboratory.

The program instructions may be configured to perform a method includingdisplaying a virtual laboratory component representing a physicalpathology laboratory having one or more laboratory stations forprocessing the tissue specimen, wherein the tissue specimen is processedby the one or more laboratory stations according to a workflow, anddisplaying a specimen indicator that indicates a current specimen statebased on a current relationship of the tissue specimen to the workflow.The method may further include enabling a first active componentassociated with the virtual laboratory component, wherein the firstactive component is configured to receive a user selection of alaboratory station and generating a supplemental view component of theselected laboratory station in response to the user selection, whereinthe supplemental view provides supplemental information on processing bythe selected laboratory station of the tissue specimen

According to another aspect, the present disclosure provides acomputer-implemented method for generating a user interface to displayworkflow information associated with a specimen in a laboratory.

The method may include displaying a virtual laboratory componentrepresenting a physical laboratory having one or more virtual laboratorystations, enabling a first active component associated with the virtuallaboratory component, wherein the first active component is configuredto receive a user selection of a virtual laboratory station included inthe virtual laboratory component, and generating a supplemental viewcomponent of the selected laboratory station in response to the userselection.

According to yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a userinterface, generated by a computer, for displaying workflow informationassociated with a specimen in a laboratory. The interface may include avirtual laboratory component representing a physical laboratory havingone or more virtual laboratory stations, a first active componentassociated with the virtual laboratory component, wherein the firstactive component is configured to receive a user selection of a virtuallaboratory station included in the virtual laboratory component, and asupplemental view component of the selected laboratory station, whereinthe supplemental view component is displayed in response to the userselection.

According to yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides amethod for providing workflow information associated with processing ofspecimens in a physical laboratory. The method may include storingdevice data associated with a laboratory device in the physicallaboratory, displaying a virtual laboratory component representing thephysical laboratory having one or more laboratory stations, and enablinga first active component associated with the virtual laboratorycomponent, wherein the first active component is configured to receive auser request for workflow information associated with a selectedlaboratory station. The method may further include processing, based onthe request, the device data to generate the workflow information andproviding the workflow information to the user.

According to yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides asystem for providing data related to a physical laboratory. The systemmay include a workflow server configured to receive data related to aphysical laboratory, a laboratory device in communication with theworkflow server and configured to provide the data, a display device;and an interface component. The interface component may be configured todisplay a virtual laboratory component representing the physicallaboratory having one or more laboratory stations enable a first activecomponent associated with the virtual laboratory component, wherein thefirst active component is configured to receive a user request forworkflow information associated with a selected laboratory station,process, based on the request, the device data to generate the workflowinformation, and provide the workflow information to the user.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention, as described and claimed.Further features and/or variations may be provided in addition to thoseset forth herein. For example, the present invention may be directed tovarious combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed featuresand/or combinations and subcombinations of several further featuresdisclosed below in the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, show certain aspects of the presentinvention and, together with the description, help explain some of theprinciples associated with the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram representing an exemplary physical laboratoryconfiguration according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram representing functional modulesthat may be associated with a workflow server for purposes of providingfunctionality associated with a laboratory.

FIG. 3 is a high-level representations of an exemplary physical datamodel consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary laboratory workflow and methodfor collecting data related to one or more laboratory devices associatedwith a physical laboratory;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an exemplary method for providingworkflow information associated with a physical laboratory;

FIG. 6 is a detailed block view of a method for providing drilldownviews of virtual laboratory stations;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary method for providing work flowdata associated with a physical laboratory;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary view of a virtual laboratory consistent with someembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9A is an exemplary depiction of a virtual laboratory following auser selection of a virtual receiving and accessioning station;

FIG. 9B is an exemplary representation of an interface providing asupplemental component associated with a virtual receiving andaccessioning station;

FIG. 10A is an exemplary depiction of a virtual laboratory following auser selection of a virtual grossing station;

FIG. 10B is an exemplary representation of an interface providing asupplemental component associated with a virtual grossing station;

FIG. 11A is an exemplary depiction of a virtual laboratory following auser selection of a virtual tissue processing and embedding station;

FIG. 11B is an exemplary representation of an interface providing asupplemental component associated with a virtual tissue processing andembedding station;

FIG. 12A is an exemplary depiction of a virtual laboratory following auser selection of a virtual sectioning station;

FIG. 12B is an exemplary representation of an interface providing asupplemental component associated with a virtual sectioning station;

FIG. 13A is an exemplary depiction of a virtual laboratory following auser selection of virtual staining station;

FIG. 13B is an exemplary representation of an interface providing asupplemental component associated with virtual staining station whereadditional drilldown is available;

FIG. 13C is an exemplary representation of an interface providing asupplemental component associated with a drilled down view of a virtualstaining station;

FIG. 14A is an exemplary depiction of a virtual laboratory following auser selection of a virtual imaging station;

FIG. 14B is an exemplary representation of an interface providing asupplemental component associated with a virtual imaging station;

FIG. 14C is an exemplary representation of an interface providingadditional functionality within a supplemental component associated witha virtual imaging station;

FIG. 15A is an exemplary depiction of a management workstation invirtual laboratory display mode;

FIG. 15B is an exemplary depiction of a management workstation in datasummary display mode following receipt of a user selection to viewmanagement and/or economic data.

FIG. 15C is a depiction of an exemplary report interface for providinganalyzed data to a user consistent with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 15D is another depiction of an exemplary report interface forproviding analyzed data to a user consistent with embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 15E is yet another depiction of an exemplary report interface forproviding analyzed data to a user consistent with embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 15F is yet another depiction of an exemplary report interface forproviding analyzed data to a user consistent with embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 15G is yet another depiction of an exemplary report interface forproviding analyzed data to a user consistent with embodiments of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 15H is yet another depiction of an exemplary report interface forproviding analyzed data to a user consistent with embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the invention, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The implementations setforth in the following description do not represent all implementationsconsistent with the claimed invention. Instead, they are merely someexamples consistent with certain aspects related to the invention.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughoutthe drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Systems and methods consistent with the invention may track and provideworkflow information associated with a specimen in a laboratory. As usedherein, the term “specimen” broadly refers to any material or piece ofmaterial obtained for the purpose of performing an operation in alaboratory. For example, the laboratory operation may involvepreparation of the specimen, analysis or testing of the specimen, orstorage of the specimen. Exemplary types of specimens include tissue orother biologic samples taken from an animal or human. Further, as usedherein, the term “workflow” broadly refers to a path or order ofoperations that a specimen may follow in a laboratory. For example, theterm workflow may reflect the order in which a series of laboratorystations may process the specimen. The term “workflow information” maybroadly refer to any information and/or data related to a specimen'sworkflow.

In one exemplary implementation, systems and methods consistent with theinvention may provide a computer-implemented user interface fordisplaying a workflow or workflow information associated with a specimenin a laboratory. For example, the workflow user interface may display avirtual laboratory representing the actual or physical laboratory orlaboratories that process the specimen. Through the virtual laboratoryrepresentation, the user interface may further illustrate a workflow forthe specimen as it is processed in the laboratory. As described in moredetail below, exemplary embodiments further include a specimen typeindicator to illustrate the current specimen state as the specimen isprocessed in the laboratory according to the workflow.

Systems and methods consistent with the present disclosure thus allowlaboratory administrators and other hospital staff to easily visualize aworkflow associated with a specimen in a physical laboratory. Further,systems consistent with the invention may also provide data related tothe laboratory's processing of specimens through the workflow interface.For example, the workflow user interface may provide a framework forviewing high level data associated with the workflow. As described inmore detail below, this data may include specimen specific data as wellas laboratory data.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary physical laboratoryenvironment 100 consistent with exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The exemplary configuration shown in FIG. 1 generallyrelates to a pathology laboratory. However, systems and methodsconsistent with the invention equally apply to other types oflaboratories. Thus, as used herein, the term “physical laboratory”broadly refers to any type of actual laboratory (or laboratories) forhandling specimens. The term “virtual laboratory,” as used herein,broadly refers to a virtual illustration or depiction of a physicallaboratory or laboratories. For example, a virtual laboratory may be acomputer-implemented graphical representation or model of a physicallaboratory. The virtual laboratory may depict the appearance ororganization of the physical laboratory, or may include logicalcomponents substantially similar to the physical laboratory.

As shown in FIG. 1, laboratory environment 100 may include a network101, a receiving station 105, an accessioning station 110, a grossingstation 115, a tissue processing and embedding station 120, a sectioningstation 125, an H&E staining station 130, an advanced staining station135, a special staining station 140, an imaging station 145, anarchiving station 150, a management server 805, and a workflow server155. Each of these stations may include one or more process specificlaboratory devices (e.g., a microtome at sectioning station 125,microscopes and automated microscopes at imaging station 145, anautomated tissue processor and a paraffin embedder at tissue processingand embedding station 120, one or more stainers at the stainingstations, an imager, a barcode reader, a printer, etc.). Further,stations 105 to 150, workflow server 155, and management station 805 mayeach communicate with one another via network 101. By enablingcommunication among the many laboratory devices associated with thelaboratory stations, data regarding a specimen as well as operation ofthe devices (e.g., hours in use, time per process, operator ID,materials consumed, etc.) may be provided to workflow server 155 forstorage in workflow database 160 and other desired processing.

Laboratory environment 100 may include more or fewer stations as thoseshown in the exemplary diagram of FIG. 1. For example, exemplaryarrangements may use only accessioning station 110, tissue processingstation 120, advanced staining station 135, and imaging station 145. Inaddition, the order in which the various stations are shown in FIG. 1Aand described throughout the present disclosure, is not intended to belimiting. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that suchstations may be organized in any desirable order without departing fromthe scope of the present disclosure.

Network 101 may enable communicative connections between devices withina physical laboratory and may be any suitable network enablinginformation transfer among electronic devices. For example, network 101may include an Ethernet LAN, a wide-area network (WAN), and/or theInternet, among other things. Each station or server associated withlaboratory environment 100, and each device within a station, mayinclude a communicative connection with network 101, and therefore maybe communicatively connected to other laboratory devices present withina physical laboratory. This may allow each laboratory device to requestand share data with workflow server 155, among other things.

Receiving station 105 and/or accessioning station 110 may be configuredto receive specimens from various sources, including, for example,hospital staff, couriers, and commercial shippers, among others.Receiving station 105 and/or accessioning station 110 may includenumerous laboratory devices configured for accomplishing tasks relatedto receiving and initial preparation of specimens. For example, stationsmay include a barcode scanner, a printer (e.g., configured for labelprinting), and/or a workstation configured to receive input from anoperator, among others. The term “workstation,” as used herein, broadlyrefers to any computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), mainframeterminal, or other computer-implemented device suitable for interfacingwith a user. Further, a workstation consistent with the presentdisclosure may represent an exemplary workflow server 155 and exemplarymanagement workstation 805, among others. In one example, managementworkstation 805, workflow server 155, and workflow database 160 may allbe part of a single workstation. Therefore, the following description ofserver 155 may apply to other components of laboratory environment 100consistent with the present disclosure.

In one implementation, workflow server 155 may include a centralprocessing unit, as well as other components, such as, for example, adisplay, an input device, and a network controller. Workflow server 155may display information on a display or at other remote locations, suchas, for example, a remote workstation connected via a network.

As noted above, some or all of the devices of receiving station 105and/or accessioning station 110 may communicate with workflow server 155via network 101. Stations 105 and/or 110 may then provide specimen data(e.g., patient name, specimen weight, etc.) and operational data (e.g.,process time for a specimen, time in use, operator id, etc.) to workflowserver 155. Further, one or more of the laboratory devices associatedwith receiving station 105 and/or accessioning station 110 may includeautomated features, and/or may involve some manual interaction from anoperator.

Because functionality associated with receiving station 105 and/oraccessioning station 110 may be similar, stations 105 and 110 may becombined as one station. In such an embodiment, personnel and laboratorydevices associated with receiving station 105 and accessioning station110 may be utilized for performance of the related processes at bothstations.

Grossing station 115 may be configured for performing an examination ofa specimen, preparing a related description of the specimen according toshape, size, and pathoanatomic findings, and cutting a specimen to fit aspecimen cassette or other suitable container. Therefore, grossingstation 115 may include one or more laboratory devices, such as, forexample, a low power microscope, a barcode scanner, a cassette printerconfigured to print barcode information to a specimen cassette, and aworkstation among other things. The laboratory devices associated withgrossing station 115 may also communicate with workflow server 155 vianetwork 101 or other suitable connection, and provide specimen andoperational data (e.g., process time for a specimen, time in use,operator id, etc.), among other things, to a user. Further, one or moreof the laboratory devices associated with grossing station 115 mayinclude automated features, and/or may involve some manual interactionfrom an operator.

Tissue processing and embedding station 120 may be configured forprocessing and embedding a specimen in preparation for sectioningstation 125. Tissue processing and embedding station 120 may include oneor more laboratory devices, for example, a tissue processor configuredto dehydrate a specimen, a paraffin embedding device, a barcode reader,and a workstation, among other things. The laboratory devices associatedwith tissue processing and embedding station 120 may communicate withworkflow server 155 via network 101 or other suitable connection andprovide specimen data and operational data (e.g., process time for aspecimen, time in use, operator id, etc.), among other things. Further,one or more of the laboratory devices associated with tissue processingand embedding station 120 may include automated features, and/or mayinvolve some manual interaction from an operator.

Sectioning station 125 may be configured to receive an embedded specimenfrom tissue processing and embedding station 120 and produce slides of aspecimen sectioned based on common practice and/or additionalinstructions. Sectioning station 125 may include one or more laboratorydevices, for example, a microtome (i.e., a sectioning device), an ovenor other heating device, a barcode reader, a printer (e.g., a slidelabel printer), and a workstation, among other things. The laboratorydevices associated with sectioning station 125 may communicate withworkflow server 155 via network 101 or other suitable connection andprovide specimen data and operational data (e.g., process time for aspecimen, time in use, operator id, etc.), among other things. Further,one or more of the laboratory devices associated with sectioning station125 may include automated features, and/or may involve some manualinteraction from an operator.

H&E staining station 130, advanced staining station 135, and specialstaining station 140 may be configured for staining specimen slides inaccordance with well known practices to those skilled in the art. H&Estaining station 130, advanced staining station 135, and specialstaining station 140 may include one or more stainers (e.g., automatedand/or manual devices configured to apply measured amounts of stain toparticular specimen slides), a pre-treatment system, stain kits andreagents, a barcode scanner, and a workstation, among others. Thelaboratory devices associated with H&E staining station 130, advancedstaining station 135, and special staining station 140 may communicatewith workflow server 155 via network 101 or other suitable connectionand provide specimen data (e.g., stains used, etc.) and operational data(e.g., process time for a specimen, time in use, operator id, etc.),among other things. Further, one or more of the laboratory devicesassociated with H&E staining station 130, advanced staining station 135,and special staining station 140 may include automated features, and/ormay involve some manual interaction from an operator. One of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize that the staining stations describedherein are exemplary, and more or fewer staining stations may beutilized as desired.

Imaging station 145 may be configured for examination of one or morespecimen slides for diagnosis. Imaging station 145 may includelaboratory devices, such as a microscope, a slide scanner/etcher, abarcode scanner, a printer (e.g., configured to print reports), and aworkstation, among other things. The laboratory devices associated withimaging station 145 may communicate with workflow server 155 via network101 or other suitable connection and provide specimen data (e.g.,specimen images) and operational data (e.g., process time for aspecimen, time in use, operator id, etc.), among other things. Further,one or more of the laboratory devices associated with imaging station145 may include automated features, and/or may involve some manualinteraction from an operator.

Archiving station 150 may be configured to archive the slides producedfrom a particular specimen for reference at a later time, and may alsoarchive slide images stored for a period of time via imaging station145. Archiving station 150 may include laboratory devices, for example,a workstation, a barcode scanner, a printer (e.g., barcode printer), andstorage facilities, among other things. The laboratory devicesassociated with archiving station 150 may communicate with workflowserver 155 via network 101 or other suitable connection and providespecimen data (e.g., specimen images) and operational data (e.g.,process time for a specimen, time in use, operator id, etc.), amongother things. Further, one or more of the laboratory devices associatedwith archiving station 150 may include automated features, and/or mayinvolve some manual interaction from an operator.

Management workstation 805 may be configured to control laboratorydevices associate with any of stations 105 to 150 and/or to provideworkflow information or any other information related to specimens andoperational data of the laboratory. For example, management workstation805 may control one or more automated laboratory devices present at thelaboratory stations. In such an example, an administrator and/or anoperator may wish to simultaneously access information from a microtomestation and a tissue processing station without being physically presentat one of these two specific laboratory stations. Management workstation805 may enable such control through network 101. Additionalfunctionality associated with management workstation 805 will bediscussed in greater detail below.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram representing functional modulesthat may be associated with workflow server 155. Such modules may enablecapture, processing, analysis, and display of workflow data related to aphysical laboratory in the context of a virtual laboratory interface. Inone arrangement, these functional modules may be stored on a disk inworkflow server 155 and/or on a server separate from workflow server155. Such modules may include compiled computer code providing functionsrelated to visualization and data access (e.g., interface modules 200),lab operations (e.g., operational modules 202), and data analysis (e.g.,analytical modules 203). The modules may be written using anyprogramming language, such as, for example C++, Java, Basic, etc. Eachmodule may also present an application programming interface (API) forpurposes of data transfer and method access, and may be enabled forremote procedure calls (RPC) and instantiation.

Data associated with interface modules 201, operational modules 202, andanalytical modules 203, may be stored, accessed, and processed atdetailed levels corresponding to individual specimens, processes, andstations. Such data may also be stored, accessed, and processed at amacro level that includes data from many specimens and stations over anydesired period of time.

Operational modules 202 may include an accessioning module 225, agrossing module 230, a sectioning module 240, an archiving module 245, atissue processing module 255, a staining module 260, and an imagingmodule 265. Each module will be discussed in greater detail below. Whilethe description below may associate certain functionalities with anyparticular module, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatthese modules may include more or less functionality as desired.

Accessioning module 225 may be configured to provide functionalityrelated to shipping and receiving station 105 and/or accessioningstation 110. For example, in some embodiments, accessioning module 225may be configured to receive information related to a received specimen(e.g., patient name, patient ID, received timestamp, etc.) and storesuch information in workflow database 160 so that the information isassociated with or linked to a current specimen. Data provided toaccessioning module 225 may be received on an automated basis fromlaboratory devices associated with receiving station 105 and/oraccessioning station 110, and/or from manual entry by a technician ofreceiving station 105 and/or accessioning station 110 through workflowserver via network 101, or other suitable method.

Further, accessioning module 225 may be configured to provideaccessioning data previously stored to database 160 in response to arequest from workflow server 155 and/or via network 101. Such requestsmay include, for example, a request for patient data related to aspecimen or operational data from a specimen receiving/accessioningprocedure. Accessioning module 225 may receive such a request from, forexample, analytical modules 203 and/or interface modules 201.Accessioning module 225 may access data from laboratory informationsystem 222 through laboratory information module 220. Such data may beprovided through workflow server via network 101, or other suitablemethod. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that more orless functionality than that described herein may be available in eachmodule associated with workflow server 155.

Grossing module 230 may be configured to provide functionalityassociated with grossing station 115. For example, grossing module 230may be configured to receive barcode information, specimen description,specimen test plan information, and specimen cassette information, amongothers, and store such information to workflow database 160 linked to acurrent specimen. Data provided to grossing module 230 may be receivedon an automated basis from laboratory devices associated with grossingstation 115 (e.g., a cassette printer), and/or from manual entry bypersonnel associated with grossing station 115 through workflow servervia network 101, or other suitable method.

Further, grossing module 230 may be configured to provide informationrelated to grossing station 115 in response to a request from workflowserver 155 and/or via network 101. For example, such information mayinclude providing specimen processing time at grossing station 115,specimen description, a specimen cassette ID, and specimen test plan inresponse to a request from, for example, analytical modules 203 and/orinterface modules 202. In some embodiments, grossing module 230 may beconfigured to provide additional processing of related information, suchas summarizing and/or averaging data entry and cutting times, providingaverage success rates (e.g., per user), and average cost per error,among others.

Sectioning module 240 may be configured to provide functionalityassociated with sectioning station 125. For example, sectioning module240 may be configured to receive barcode information, sectioning time,specimen slide data (e.g., number of slides produced), and sectioningsuccess, among others, and store such information to workflow database160 linked to a current specimen. Data provided to sectioning module 240may be received on an automated basis from laboratory devices associatedwith sectioning station 125 (e.g., a microtome), and/or from manualentry by a technician of sectioning station 125 through workflow servervia network 101, or other suitable method.

Further, sectioning module 240 may be configured to provide informationrelated to sectioning station 125 in response to a request from workflowserver 155 and/or via network 101. For example, such information mayinclude providing specimen sectioning time, the number of sections froma specimen, and sectioning success status at sectioning station 125, inresponse to a request from, for example, analytical modules 203 and/orinterface modules 202. In some embodiments, sectioning module 240 may beconfigured to provide additional processing of related information, suchas summarizing and/or averaging machine times.

Archiving module 245 may be configured to provide functionalityassociated with archiving station 150. For example, archiving module 245may be configured to receive barcode information, patient information,and specimen storage location, and store such information to workflowdatabase 160. Data provided to archiving module 245 may be received onan automated basis from laboratory devices associated with archivingstation 150, and/or from manual entry by personnel associated witharchiving station 150 through workflow server via network 101, or othersuitable method.

Further, archiving module 245 may be configured to provide informationrelated to archiving station 150 in response to a request from workflowserver 155 and/or via network 101. For example, such information mayinclude providing specimen location information in response to a requestfrom, for example, analytical modules 203 and/or interface modules 202.

Tissue processing module 255 may be configured to provide functionalityassociated with processing and embedding station 120. For example,tissue processing module 255 may be configured to receive barcodeinformation, storage cassette information, and dehydration time, amongothers, and store such information to workflow database 160 linked to acurrent specimen. Data provided to tissue processing module 255 may bereceived on an automated basis from laboratory devices associated withtissue processing and embedding station 120 (e.g., an automateddehydrator), and/or from manual entry by technicians associated withtissue processing and embedding station 120 by any suitable method.

Further, tissue processing module 255 may be configured to provideinformation related to tissue processing and embedding station 120 inresponse to a request from workflow server 155 and/or via network 101.For example, such information may include providing specimen dehydratingtime, paraffin embedding success rate, and operator ID at tissueprocessing and embedding station 120 in response to a request from, forexample, analytical modules 203 and/or interface modules 201. In someembodiments, tissue processing module 255 may be configured to provideadditional processing of related information, such as summarizing and/oraveraging dehydrating machine times, determining average success rates,and breaking out possible critical points by highlighting errorsassociated with tissue processing and embedding tasks, among others.

Staining module 260 may be configured to provide functionalityassociated with H&E staining station 130, advanced staining station 135,and special staining station 140, as well as any other staining stationsthat may be utilized by the physical laboratory. For example, stainingmodule 260 may be configured to receive barcode information, specimentest plan, stains and reagents used, the number of slides stained, andstaining time, among others, and store such information to workflowdatabase 160. Data provided to staining module 260 may be received on anautomated basis from laboratory devices associated with H&E stainingstation 130, advanced staining station 135, and/or special stainingstation 140 (e.g., an automated stainer), and/or from manual entry bypersonnel associated with H&E staining station 130, advanced stainingstation 135, and/or special staining station 140.

Further, staining module 260 may be configured to provide informationrelated to H&E staining station 130, advanced staining station 135,and/or special staining station 140—or other stainers present—inresponse to a request from workflow server 155 and/or via network 101.For example, such information may include providing stains to be used,staining time, number of slides stained, and staining success status,among others, at H&E staining station 130, advanced staining station135, and/or special staining station 140. Such a request may also bemade by, for example, analytical modules 203 and/or interface modules201. In some embodiments, staining module 260 may be configured toprovide additional processing of related information, such assummarizing and/or averaging staining times from individual stainerspresent, an average of staining costs per slide, labor hours associatedwith a staining task, average staining success rates, and other similardata.

Imaging module 265 may be configured to provide functionality associatedwith imaging station 145. For example, imaging module 265 may beconfigured to receive barcode information, specimen slide data (e.g.,number of slides per specimen), specimen image data, and imaging successstatus, and store such information to workflow database 160. Dataprovided to imaging module 265 may be received on an automated basisfrom laboratory devices associated with imaging station 145, and/or frommanual entry by personnel associated with imaging station 145 throughworkflow server via network 101, or other suitable method.

Further, imaging module 265 may be configured to provide informationrelated to imaging station 145 in response to a request from workflowserver 155 and/or via network 101. For example, such information mayinclude providing specimen processing times at imaging station 145,specimen image data, imaging success status, and imaging test plan data,in response to a request from, for example, analytical modules 203and/or interface modules 201. In some embodiments, imaging module 265may be configured to provide additional processing of relatedinformation, such as summarizing and/or averaging imaging times perslide, imaging success rates, and identifying operator and imagererrors, among other things.

Analytical modules 203 may include image analysis module 270, dataanalysis module 275, economic module 280, and data module 285. Datamodule 285 may be configured to function as an interface betweenworkflow database 160 and workflow server 155, among other things. Forexample, data module 285 may implement properties and methods enablingstorage and retrieval of data from workflow database 160 via variousconnection methods (e.g., ODBC). Therefore, data module 285 may providequery processing and dataset return methods configured to standardizedata access across modules of workflow server 155. In such an example,one of operational modules 202 may provide a series of data to datamodule 285, and data module 285 may be responsible for executing a querycausing the data to be stored in workflow database 160. Alternatively,when a request for data is made by, for example, one of operationalmodules 202, data module 285 may parse the request and execute a queryrelated to the request and return the requested data.

Data analysis module 275 may be configured to parse a request related todata associated with the laboratory and/or workflow database 160,analyze data according to the request. For example, data analysis module275 may receive a request from workflow server 155 to retrieve datarelated to success rates at tissue processing and embedding station 120.Data analysis module 275 may instantiate tissue processing module 255and retrieve data based on the request from workflow server 155. Dataanalysis module may then analyze the data (e.g., to summarize and/orvalidate the data) and provide the data to economic model module 280 forprocessing and report generation. Similarly, where a request to storedata is initiated by a module associated with workflow server 155, dataanalysis module 275 may receive and analyze the data for a determinationof validity, among other things.

Data analysis module 275 also may be configured to analyze, store, andprovide quality control data associated with a physical laboratory. Forexample, based on a request, data analysis module may obtain randomsamples of data from workflow database 160 and analyze such data fordeterminations of, for example, laboratory device performancecharacteristics, operator performance characteristics, and/orsuccess/error rates. Such analyses may enable a laboratory administratorto address one or more quality control issues associated with one ormore laboratory stations. One of skill in the art will recognize thatmore or less functionality may be provided by data analysis module 275.

Economic model module 280 may be configured to provide data related toeconomic analysis of workflow data associated with the physicallaboratory, among other things. For example, a request may be initiatedat management workstation 805 for data related to staining costs atadvanced staining station 135. The request may be transmitted vianetwork 101 to workflow server 155, where economic model module 280 maythen request data from staining module 260 based on the request.Economic model module 280 may then process such data into a report andreturn the data to workflow server 155 and on to management workstation805. Analysis of workflow data by economic module 280 and generation ofrelated workflow reports will be discussed in greater detail below.

Image analysis module 270 may be configured to receive data related tospecimen images, among others, and analyze such data in response to arequest. For example, specimen image data may be stored in workflowdatabase 160 or other location such as disk 10. Upon receiving a requestto view a particular specimen (e.g., by patient ID, barcode, etc.) imageanalysis module 270 may retrieve one or more images related to aspecimen (e.g., digitally scanned slide images) and analyze the image toprovide a machine based diagnosis and/or prognosis. Further, analysismay be performed by image analysis module 270, such as, for example,analyzing an image for defects (e.g., to determine slide scannercalibration), among other things. One of skill in the art will recognizethat numerous functions may be performed by image analysis module 270upon further consideration of the present disclosure.

Interface modules 201 may include request processing module 204,graphical user interface (GUI) module 205, specimen tracking module 210,and laboratory information module 220. Interface modules may beconfigured to provide functionality relating to visualization ofinterfaces (e.g., virtual laboratory, workflow data reports, etc.) on adisplay and providing information related to a physical laboratory(e.g., specimen location, lab workflow, etc.).

Request processing module 204 may be configured to receive and process auser request based on input from GUI module 205, or other suitablesource (e.g., a laboratory device). For example, a user at managementworkstation 805 may initiate a request (e.g., a mouse click and/or otherselection) to view a current workflow associated with a lab, a specimenstatus, or other desired request. Such a request may be initiatedthrough an interface present on, for example, management workstation805, or other suitable location. Request processing module 204 mayreceive the request through workflow server 155, and parse the requestto determine an operation desired by a user. Request processing module204 may then initiate actions and instantiate modules on workflow server155 to respond to the request, among other things.

While user selections are generally described in the context of mouseclicks throughout the present disclosure, one of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that user input may be received in numerous ways,such as, for example, by keyboard entry, touch screen entry, voicecommands, etc. Any description with regard to mouse-click based input isthus intended as exemplary only and is not intended to be limiting.

GUI module 205 may provide processing for display of data, display of avirtual laboratory component representing the physical laboratory,displaying a workflow associated with the physical laboratory, andreceive selections from users at workstations via active componentswithin the GUI (e.g., a clickable area and/or a pushbutton within thevirtual laboratory). For example, GUI module 205 may generate a GUIdisplaying a virtual laboratory component representing a physicallaboratory having one or more virtual laboratory stations. These virtuallaboratory stations may be virtual representations of any of thestations described with regard to FIG. 1A. In such an example, GUImodule 205 may further provide one or more active components such asactive areas within the virtual laboratory enabling user input (e.g., amouse click). Upon receipt of user input (e.g., a selection) GUI module205 may respond by generating an appropriate interface modification(e.g., a supplemental view of a virtual laboratory station and/or otherviews). Selections associated with GUI module 205 may also be made by anadministrator at management station 805 to control one or morelaboratory devices, to display a report containing data requested by theadministrator, to track a specimen in the physical laboratory, and/or toview workflow/proposed workflow associated with the physical laboratory.

GUI module 205 may utilize numerous formats and programming languagesfor providing an interface. For example, in some embodiments, agraphics/animation tool (e.g., Adobe Flash), HTML, and/or XML may beutilized for implementing a particular GUI (e.g., virtual laboratory)through GUI Module 205. In such an embodiment, graphical elements may bedesigned and stored in a format compatible with the graphics tool (e.g.,Adobe Flash format), while text associated with such images may bestored as XML and/or HTML for ease of editing after compilation. One ofskill in the art will recognize that other such combinations may be usedwithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

Specimen tracking module 210 may be configured to retrieve and provideinformation related to the status of one or more specimens in alaboratory. For example, a user may initiate a request based on apatient ID or barcode information (e.g., a scanned barcode) to determinethe current status of a specimen in a physical laboratory. Specimentracking module 210 may retrieve data related to the specimen andprovide such data to GUI module 205 for representation within a virtuallaboratory component. In such an example, specimen tracking module 210may also be configured to provide a workflow indication associated withthe virtual laboratory. For example, based on a current and/or aproposed workflow, specimen tracking module 210 may provide an indicatorand/or path of a hypothetical specimen through a physical laboratory bydisplaying an appropriate indicator within a virtual laboratory.Workflow visualization will be discussed in greater detail below.

Laboratory information module 220 may be configured to accessinformation from laboratory information system 222 and manipulate suchdata to enable transfer between laboratory information system 222 andworkflow server 155 and/or workflow database 160. Laboratory informationsystems are known in the art and may be commercially available fromvendors including, for example, Cerner Corporation. Each individuallaboratory information system 222 may include a data model differingfrom that associated with other laboratory information systems andworkflow database 160. Therefore, to enable data transfer betweenlaboratory information system 222 and workflow database 160 (e.g.,automatic data entry at receiving station 105) laboratory informationmodule 220 may act as an interface between workflow server 155, and anyof modules 201, 202, and 203 such that data associated with laboratoryinformation system 222 may be obtained, regardless of the laboratoryinformation system vendor. For example, laboratory information system222 may be configured to store and provide patient and demographic datarelated to specimens arriving at a laboratory. In such an example, uponreceipt and identification of a specimen, laboratory information module220 may connect to laboratory information system 222 via a network, toobtain specimen data (e.g., physician ordered tests, patient data anddemographics, etc.).

FIG. 3 is a high-level representation of an exemplary physical datamodel 300 consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Asshown in FIG. 3, data model 300 may include a slide case data table 305,a slide table 310, a slide steps table 315, a stainer table 320, astainer alerts table 325, a tissue prep table 330, a tissue type table335, a user info table 340, and a user groups table 345. Each of thesedata tables may store information or data associated with the trackingand displaying of the specimen(s) processed in the laboratory. Such adata model may be implemented within workflow database 160 for purposesof storing, retrieving, and processing workflow data associated with alaboratory, laboratory stations, laboratory devices, and specimens,among other things. The exemplary high-level data model 300 isparticularly directed to a lab including a series of automated stainingmachines. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatdata model 300 is only exemplary and may be modified and/or expanded tosuit any laboratory configuration and selection of laboratory devices.Further, more or fewer tables may be provided as desired based onfactors such as, types of laboratory devices present in a physical lab,data storage desires, etc.

In the present example, data model 300 depicts data relationshipsbetween data tables 305-345. In such a data model, slide table 310 mayinclude relationships to slide case table 305 and slide steps table 315for purposes of providing lookup information for slide records in slidetable 310. Similarly, slide table 310 may include relationships tolookup tables tissue type table 335 and tissue prep table 330 forpurposes of identifying tissue characteristics associated with a sliderecord. Slide table 310 may include relationships to user info table 340and an indirect relationship to user groups table 345 for purposes oftracking user operations associated with a particular slide record inslide table 310.

In addition, stainer table 320 may represent data associated oneparticular laboratory device (e.g., a stainer) and may include recordsrelated to staining carried out on each slide referenced in stainertable 320. Therefore stainer table 320 may maintain a relationship withslide table 310. For purposes of providing alerts with regard to aparticular stainer, and/or slide being stained, stainer table 320 maymaintain a relationship with stainer alerts table 325 providing lookupinformation related to available stainer alerts. It is important to notethat data model 300 is exemplary only. One of skill in the art willrecognize that data model 300 may modified for use with many differentlaboratory devices and data structures.

Workflow database 160 may be implemented on a standalone workstation, inconjunction with workflow server 155 (e.g., on the same workstation), ormay be split across a server farm based on various factors. Further,workflow database 160 may be implemented using any suitable databasemanagement system (DBMS). For example, relational database managementsoftware may be used, including, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, and/orMySQL, among others. In addition, XML data files, spreadsheet software(e.g., Microsoft Excel) also may be utilized for managing data.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary laboratory workflow and methodfor collecting data related to one or more laboratory devices associatedwith a physical laboratory. Biological specimens may be received atreceiving station 105 and/or accessioning station 110 (step 405).Specimens may be received in jars or as cell smears, and/or in any othersuitable form. Further, specimens may also include a request form thatlists patient information and history along with a description of thesite of origin and a desired test regimen. Additional data related toeach specimen may be entered into a workstation associated withreceiving station 105 and/or accessioning station 110. Once informationhas been entered into the workstation, specimens may be accessioned bygiving them a unique identifier that may be used to uniquely identifyeach specimen for each patient throughout the workflow of the lab (step410). A unique ID may enable tracking and tracing of each specimen asrelated data is stored in workflow database 160. Following accessioning,barcode case information labels may be printed for the request formand/or the specimen container. This may enhance traceability and assistin elimination of errors originating from, for example, redundant dataentry throughout the laboratory process. In some embodiments, derivedspecimens may be derived by cutting a portion of an original specimen.For example, a tissue block with a unique identifier may be sectionedusing a microtome at a sectioning station 240 and each derived specimenmay be placed on a separate microscope slide labeled with a separateunique identifier. The unique identifiers of the derived specimens maythen be associated with the unique identifier of the tissue block sothat throughout the workflow, a true positive ID is maintained andtracked for each specimen and derived specimen. In some embodiments ofthe present invention, specimens may be tracked at any stage in theprocess from management station 805, or other suitable device, throughconnectivity to network 101, workflow server 155, and specimen trackingmodule 210.

During accessioning of a specimen, workflow data related to one or moreprocesses undertaken at receiving station 105 and/or accessioningstation 110 also may be captured and stored to workflow database 160.For example, data such as a user ID associated with an operator,specimen IDs, specimen status, total time in accessioning, label printeroperation time, workstation operation time, etc. may be captured (step410). Such data may be processed by accessioning module 225 and storedat workflow database 160. One of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that more or less data may be captured based on factors suchas administrative desires and cost, among others.

After being accessioned, specimens may be taken to grossing station 115to undergo grossing processes and data capture (step 415). Largersectional cuttings of the specimen may be made at grossing station 115with additional related descriptions noted and transmitted to workflowserver 155 via a computer or other suitable device at grossing station115 (step 420). Selected specimens may then be placed in cassettes(e.g., plastic specimen cassettes), and/or other suitable containers,along with the unique identifier and barcode affixed (e.g., using acassette printer). Providing the unique identifier on a specimencassette or other container may further assist in reducing error ratesand may save time for the operator operating grossing station 115, andsubsequent stations.

During grossing of a specimen, workflow data related to one or moreprocesses undertaken at grossing station 115 also may be captured andstored to workflow database 160. For example, data such as a user IDassociated with an operator, specimen IDs, specimen status, total timein grossing, cassette printer operation time, workstation operationtime, success information, etc. may be captured (step 420). Such datamay be processed by grossing module 230 and stored at workflow database160. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that more or lessdata may be captured based on factors such as administrative desires andcost, among others.

Following grossing of a specimen, the specimen may be processed andembedded at tissue processing and embedding station 120 (step 425). Attissue processing and embedding station 120, a specimen may undergo apreservation process called fixation, among other things. Fixation maybe performed to slow and/or stop natural tissue degradation and may beperformed automatically in a automatic tissue processor (not shown).Automatic tissue processor may dehydrate the tissue and followed by acleaning step with an organic agent (e.g., xylene).

During the process of embedding, a dehydrated specimen may be embeddedin a substance such as, for example, paraffin wax. This paraffinizationmay be performed using a mould to make blocks including the specimen tofacilitate the sectioning process (step 445). Proper tissue orientationmay be desirable when making a paraffin block such that sectioning maybe performed correctly.

Prior to departure from tissue processing and embedding station 120,specimens may be sorted according to unique ID number and a priority.Such sorting may be facilitated by one or more laboratory devicesassociated with tissue processing and embedding station 120. Forexample, a barcode reader may be used to scan cassettes for tracking andadministration of specimens, and the data logged to workflow database160.

During processing and embedding of a specimen, workflow data related toone or more processes undertaken at tissue processing and embeddingstation 120 may be captured and stored to workflow database 160 (step430). For example, data such as a user ID associated with an operator,specimen IDs, specimen status, dehydration time in the automatic tissueprocessor, wash time in the automatic tissue processor, quantity oforganic solvent used, paraffin block orientation, and processing successinformation, among other things, may be captured. Particularly,automated devices such as an automated processor and dehydrator mayprovide additional information and data related to processing undertakenat tissue processing and embedding station 120. Such data may beprocessed by tissue processing module 255 and stored at workflowdatabase 160. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that moreor less data may be captured based on factors such as administrativedesires and cost, among others.

Once processed and embedded, a specimen may sectioned at sectioningstation 125 (step 445). At sectioning station 145 embedded tissue blocksmay be cut into thin sections using a cutting device, for example, amicrotome. Tissue sections may have a thickness of 3-4 microns, and anumber of slides per specimen may be generated from the sections made bythe cutting device. The sections may be collected on slides (e.g., glassslides), and labeled utilizing one or more bar-code slide labelingmachines. Such machines may be automated and may utilize informationread from a specimen cassette barcode or other container for purposes ofproducing one or more slide labels. The number of slides beingdetermined by such things as, staining requirements (e.g., routinestaining (H&E), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and/or special stains),success rates, etc.

Once the sections are placed on labeled slides, the slides may be placedin a slide rack and dried in a heating device, such as, for example, anoven for baking to ensure that a specimen adheres to a microscope slidethroughout processing. Pretreatment such as deparaffinization (i.e.heating and/or dissolving paraffin to remove it from the sample) mayalso take place. Other pretreatment may include antigen retrieval touncover epitopes for IHC staining or to denature DNA for molecularstaining. As slides are moved from station to station, heating deviceracks may be the same racks or substantially similar racks to those usedin one or more steps at staining stations 130-140. This may aid inshortening tissue handling times and minimizing errors.

Cassettes with remaining specimen material may then be cataloged andsaved in boxes. Barcodes affixed to slides departing from sectioningstation 125 may be scanned and information logged to workflow database160, and/or other suitable location, along with other workflow datarelated to processes performed at sectioning station 125 (step 450). Forexample, data such as a user ID associated with an operator, specimenIDs, specimen status, slide count, storage rack ID, time in heatingdevice, heating device temperature, storage box location (e.g., forremaining specimen), and slide preparation success information, amongother things, may be captured. Particularly, automated devices such asan automated microtome may provide additional information and datarelated to processing undertaken at sectioning station 125. Such datamay be processed by sectioning module 240 and stored at workflowdatabase 160. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that moreor less data may be captured based on factors such as administrativedesires and cost, among others.

Once a specimen has been sectioned, the labeled slides may be stained atone or more of H&E staining station 130, advanced staining station 135,and/or special staining station 140 (step 455). In some embodiments,staining may be performed on an automated stainer with minimal operatorinteraction. In other embodiments, particularly where advanced staining(e.g., IHC) and special stains are desired, manual staining, and/orautomated staining systems may be used (e.g., Artisan Staining System byDako). Once stained, slides may be cover-slipped with a solutiondepending on a mounting media. Slides belonging to particular patientcases may be collected and checked for proper staining.

Barcodes associated with slides stained at H&E staining station 130,advanced staining station 135, and/or special staining station 140 maybe scanned and related information logged to workflow server 155, and/orother suitable location, along with other workflow data related toprocesses performed at H&E staining station 130, advanced stainingstation 135, and/or special staining station 140 (step 460). Forexample, data such as a user ID associated with an operator, specimenIDs, specimen status, slide count, slide IDs, stains utilized, amount ofeach stain used, time at staining station, slide rack ID, and slidestaining success information, among other things, may be captured.Particularly, automated devices such as an autostainer may provideadditional information and data related to the staining processesundertaken at H&E staining station 130, advanced staining station 135,and/or special staining station 140. Such data may then be processed bystaining module 260 and stored at workflow database 160. One of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize that more or less data may be capturedbased on factors such as administrative desires and cost, among others.

Following staining, specimen slides may be processed at imaging station145 (step 465). Processes at imaging station 145 may include visualexamination of the stained slides through a microscope and/or othersimilar device to perform diagnosis and/or prognosis. Barcodesassociated with the stained slides may be scanned and data stored toworkflow database 160 by staining module 260. This may enable anidentified specimen to be recalled to, for example, allow configurationof an imager and/or to remotely display imaging data. In someembodiments, a specimen slide imager may be an automated imager (e.g.,ACIS III by Dako). Specimen slides may be loaded into the automatedimager using the current slide rack, or alternatively, a special sliderack configured for the imager. An imager may be calibrated andconfigured to send various data to workflow server 155. As specimens arescanned, an image may be displayed on a workstation display. Further, areport template may allow reports to be generated from the image data,and may support a range of administrative requirements. An operator maythen fill in the remaining information on the report (e.g., through akeyboard at the workstation).

Barcodes associated with slides examined and imaged at imaging station145 may be scanned and related information logged to workflow database160, along with other workflow data related to processes performed atimaging station 145 (step 470). For example, data such as a user IDassociated with an operator, specimen IDs, specimen status, slide IDs,image data, diagnosis/prognosis, time to image, and imaging successinformation, among other things, may be captured. Particularly,automated devices such as an automated imager may provide additionalinformation and data related to the staining processes undertaken atimaging station 145. Such data may then be processed by imaging module265 and stored at workflow database 160. One of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that more or less data may be captured based onfactors such as administrative desires and cost, among others.

Referring to FIG. 1, at each of stations 105-150 supply data may becaptured. Supply data may include, for example, information related tosupplies used in lab operations. For example, supply data may includethe number of available slides, coverslips, specimen containers,cassettes, and other containers; quantity of available reagents,solvents, buffers, and other fluids; available quantity of paraffin wax;amount of available labels, paper, slide racks, printer cartridges, andother information related to supplies utilized in laboratory operations.Supply data may be entered manually via a data entry device by a userinto a database (e.g., workflow database 160). Alternatively, supplydata may be entered automatically into workflow database 160 via signalsreceived from one or more sensors 102 configured to track supplies. Forexample, a pressure sensor may be used to measure a volume of reagent orother fluid remaining in a laboratory device, such as a stainer. A barcode reader or RFID, for example, may be used to track supplies, such asthe number of remaining slides or containers. It is contemplated thatsensors may be associated with one or more modules 225-265. One ofordinary skill in the art will recognize upon consideration of thepresent disclosure that numerous other types sensors or methods may beutilized to track supplies, and those described herein are intended asexemplary.

In some embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, it may bedesirable to provide a computer based interface to, for example,administrators, sales staff, trainers, etc., for purposes of visualizingworkflow, potential workflow improvements, and laboratory economic data,among other things, associated with a physical laboratory. Thisinterface may be implemented as a “virtual laboratory” displayed on adisplay associated with a computer workstation (e.g., managementworkstation 805) and/or other suitable devices. Utilizing systems andmethods of the present disclosure, implementations of such an interfacemay be realized. While describing FIGS. 5-7 below, reference also may bemade to FIGS. 8-15H.

Utilizing systems and methods discussed herein, one or more workflowsmay be modeled. A modeled workflow may be based on data collectedutilizing methods such as those described with regard to FIG. 4, or,alternatively, modeling may include creating data for a workflow, forexample, for purposes of demonstrating improvements that may be obtainedwhen changes in workflow are made. One of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize upon consideration of the present disclosure that numerousother workflows may be possible, and those described herein are intendedas exemplary.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an exemplary method for providingworkflow information associated with a physical laboratory. Uponinitiating a computer application consistent with embodiments disclosedherein, a user may be presented with a virtual laboratory componentrepresenting a physical laboratory. Such an interface may be providedby, interface modules 201 associated with workflow server 155, amongothers.

An example of a virtual laboratory component 900 is shown FIG. 8.Virtual laboratory 900 may include one or more virtual laboratorystations, including, for example, virtual receiving and accessioningstation 905, virtual grossing station 910, virtual tissue processing andembedding station 915, virtual sectioning station 920, virtual stainingstation 925, and virtual imaging station 930. Virtual laboratory 900 mayalso include a specimen indicator 940, a workflow indicator 960, and oneor more active components associated with virtual laboratory 900 (e.g.,economic data access component 970) enabling receipt of a userselection. Virtual laboratory 900 may be associated with a physicallaboratory. For example, one or more of the virtual laboratory stations905-930 (e.g., accessioning station 905, virtual grossing station 910,embedding station 915, etc.) may correspond to and represent a stationin a physical laboratory (i.e., 1:1 correspondence).

It is also contemplated that virtual laboratory 900 may be associatedwith and represent a plurality of physical laboratories. Each virtuallaboratory station may be associated with and represent a plurality ofphysical laboratory stations (i.e., 1:n correspondence). For example,virtual accessioning station 905 may represent and provide data receivedfrom a plurality of physical accessioning stations. The data mayinclude, workflow data, economic data, supply data, etc. When virtuallaboratory 900 is associated with a plurality of physical laboratories,the data provided by virtual laboratory 900 and each virtual laboratorystation may be an aggregation of data received from the physicallaboratory stations. The aggregation of data may be represented as anaverage, a weighted average, a median, or another representation of anaggregation of data known in the art. Alternatively or additionally,virtual laboratory stations 905-930 may provide representative data foreach individual physical station. For example, a user may be providedwith data from an individual physical accessioning station out of aplurality of physical accessioning stations by selecting the desiredstation from, for example, a list or pull down menu. It is contemplatedthat the data provided by virtual laboratory 900 and virtual laboratorystations 905-930 may capture multiple dimensions (e.g., time andlocation). In one embodiment, data may be provided for one or morelocations (e.g., a single physical station, multiple physical stations,a single physical laboratory, or multiple physical laboratories) atgiven time point or over a period of time.

In addition to being a link to a physical laboratory, virtual laboratorymay be utilized as a training, educational, or sales tool. In this form,virtual laboratory 900 may utilize stored or simulated data to produceexemplary workflows.

Elements of virtual laboratory 900 will now be discussed in greaterdetail. Specimen indicator 940 may be configured to indicate a specimenlocation, a specimen station, and a specimen flow in relation to the oneor more virtual laboratory stations. Such indication may be accomplishedby applying various visual techniques to specimen indicator 940. Forexample, where a data request indicates a desire to determine a currentstatus associated with a specimen, request processing module 204 mayutilize specimen tracking module 210 to obtain data about a requestedspecimen. In response, GUI module 205 and specimen tracking module 210may cause specimen indicator 940 to be located in a virtual laboratorystation consistent with the actual physical location of the specimen forwhich status was requested. Further, as noted above, a specimen maymaintain different states depending on what laboratory stations haveprocessed it. For example, depending upon which laboratory station hasprocessed the specimen, the specimen may be received in jars, placed ina cassette, cut to slides, etc. Specimen indicator 940 may thus indicatethe current state of the specimen as being in either a jar, a cassette,or a slide state. Moreover, specimen indicator 940 may thus becomeanimated to demonstrate motion through virtual laboratory 900, and, maychange in appearance based on a current state of a specimen with regardto a laboratory station. For example, specimen indicator 940 may depicta jar and request form when the specimen has not yet entered virtualgrossing station 910. Upon entering grossing station 910, specimenindicator 940 may depict a barcoded cassette to indicate the specimen'snew state. Upon arrival at virtual sectioning station 920, specimenindicator 940 may then depict a glass slide. One of ordinary skill willrecognize that such depictions or appearances are exemplary only andother appearances may be applied to specimen indicator 940 todemonstrate a specimen's state, among other things.

Further, in some embodiments consistent with an anatomical pathologylaboratory, specimen indicator 940 may be configured to accuratelydepict changes in the state, quantity, and/or workflow of differenttypes of specimens. For example, at grossing station 115, an organ or alarge mass of tissue may be measured, photographed, or described (e.g.,by its size, condition, or appearance). Grossing station 115 may alsoperform different physical processes depending on types of tissueassociated with the specimen. Specimen indicator 940 and text component1020 (described in more detail with respect to FIG. 10A) may thus beconfigured to depict differences in the specimen's state and/or itsposition in the workflow.

In further embodiments, sections of tissue to be processed may beidentified and derived from an organ or larger mass of tissue. In suchcases, some variance in processing times or quality may occur dependingon the technician's skill and experience, among other things.Operational modules 202 may be configured to measure statistical dataobtained from the respective laboratory stations and analytical modules203 may be configured to analyze the statistical data to provide highlevel statistical trend data. For example, management station 805 maydisplay statistical trend data showing a grossing quality and time foreach technician working at grossing station 115.

Additionally, at sectioning station 920, sections of a tissue specimenmay be cut, floated on a water bath, and then scooped onto a slide.However, sometimes a fold, tear, or air bubble in the tissue section mayform as it is put on the slide, requiring that the slide be discardedand a new slide prepared. Operational modules 202 may thus record thetime between slides or even the number of slides that had to bereplaced. Analytical modules 203 may thus process such high-levelquality control information for display at management station 805.

In other embodiments, at any of stations 105-150 and 805, laboratoryenvironment 100 may use color-coding or other visual cues associatedwith tissue cassettes, slides, labels, and other containers to identifyspecimens or types of specimens. Since different types of specimens mayfollow a different workflow, specimen indicator 940 may be configured toaccurately reflect the particular appearance and workflow of eachspecimen type. By doing so, systems consistent with the presentdisclosure may visualize the workflow for purposes of techniciantraining or quality control.

Virtual laboratory stations 905-930 may be configured to representlaboratory stations associated with a physical laboratory and may enableaccess to data, laboratory devices, and descriptions of processesassociated with the physical laboratory stations, among other things.Virtual laboratory stations 905-930 may also include one or more activecomponents enabling a user selection (e.g., a clickable area) associatedwith virtual laboratory 900. For example, virtual receiving andaccessioning station 905 displayed within virtual lab 900 may provide avirtual representation of receiving station 105 and accessioning station110. Access to data obtained during steps 405 and 410 of FIG. 4 may beenabled through virtual receiving and accessioning station 905, as wellas descriptions of processes undertaken at an exemplary physicalreceiving station 105 and accessioning station 110. Alternatively,physical receiving station 105 and accessioning station 110 may berepresented as individual virtual stations as desired. An activecomponent associated with virtual receiving and accessioning station 905may, therefore, be enabled to receive a user selection (e.g., usermouse-click) related to virtual receiving and accessioning station 905and/or other virtual laboratory stations (step 510). In someembodiments, an active component may enable a user to select within anactive component associated with virtual lab 900 to first accessinformation related to a virtual laboratory station and then to selectagain for “drilling down” to a supplemental view of a selected virtuallaboratory station.

Upon initial selection of a virtual laboratory station, specimenindicator 940 may follow workflow indicator 960 to the virtuallaboratory station selected by the user and active components associatedwith the selected virtual laboratory may become enabled. Alternatively,such active areas may be enabled continuously.

FIG. 9A is an exemplary depiction of virtual laboratory 900 following auser selection of virtual receiving and accessioning station 905, whileFIGS. 10A, 11A, 12A, 13A, and 14A are exemplary depictions of virtuallab 900 following initial selection of other virtual laboratorystations. Virtual laboratory 900 may display a text component 1020 andexemplary active components associated with virtual laboratory 900(e.g., receiving and accessioning station 905) upon initial selection ofa virtual laboratory station. Text component 1020 may be configured toprovide text-based information related to workflow, processes, andlaboratory devices, among other things. Text component 1020 may displaysuch information based on user selections and/or based on a currentworkflow associated with virtual lab 900. For example, where a userselection (e.g., user mouse click) indicates virtual receiving andaccessioning station 905, text component 1020 may provide a high-leveldescription of tasks carried out at virtual receiving and accessioningstation 905, among others. As shown, specimen indicatory has followedworkflow indicator 960 to virtual receiving and accessioning station 905and may depict a current state of a specimen (e.g., received in jarswith a request list).

Active component 906 may allow a user to click for purposes of “drillingdown” to supplemental component view (e.g., a more detailed view)associated with virtual receiving and accessioning station 905. Uponreceiving such a drill down request (step 515: yes), a supplementalcomponent view of a selected virtual lab element may be displayed (flowpasses to FIG. 6). FIG. 6 is a detailed block view of a method forproviding drilldown views of virtual laboratory stations. For example,where a user has selected an active component associated with a virtuallaboratory station of virtual laboratory 900 (e.g., virtual receivingand accessioning station 905) (step 605), the interface may be modifiedbased on the user's selection (step 610). For example, upon selecting asupplemental component associated with virtual receiving andaccessioning station 905, the interface may be modified by interfacemodules 201, operational modules 202, and analytical modules 203, amongothers, to provide a supplemental component view of virtual receivingand accessioning station 905 (step 610).

FIG. 9B is an exemplary representation of an interface providing asupplemental component associated with virtual receiving andaccessioning station 905 as modified in step 610. Such a supplementalcomponent may include a detailed zoomed-in view of the virtuallaboratory station selected including one or more virtualrepresentations of laboratory devices present in the related physicallaboratory (e.g., label printer, barcode reader, etc). Further, asupplemental component may include one or more additional activecomponents 1010, a text component 1020, specimen indicator 940, andreturn component 1000, among other things. While supplemental componentviews may be discussed in the context of “zoomed-in” and “detailed,”additional visual effects may be utilized for providing such components.

Return component 1000 may allow a user selection indicating a return toa view level above the currently selected view. For example, where auser has selected an active component indicating a drilldown view of avirtual laboratory station from virtual laboratory 900, return component1000 may cause interface modules 201 to return to a view of virtuallaboratory 900 within an interface. Similarly, where a user has drilleddown two levels to a supplemental view of a supplemental component viewof a laboratory workstation, return component 1000 may allow the user toreturn to the first supplemental component view of the laboratoryworkstation.

Specimen indicator 940 in a supplemental component view may beconfigured to provide information related to a theoretical current stateof a specimen in the selected virtual laboratory station. For example,as noted above specimens arriving to receiving and accessioning stations105 and 110, may be in jars and may be accompanied by a request formindicating desired tests for the specimen. As shown in FIG. 9B, such astate may be indicated by specimen indicator 940. In addition, variouseffects may be utilized with regard to specimen indicator 940 to assistin demonstrating a workflow. For example, within a supplement componentview such as that shown in FIG. 9B, specimen indicator may becomeanimated to demonstrate motion through the virtual laboratory station,among other things.

A virtual laboratory station may also have one or more active componentsenabling a user to select one or more distinct supplemental componentsassociated with a supplemental component virtual laboratory station. Forexample, FIGS. 13A-13C show an exemplary virtual staining station 925.As shown in FIG. 6, upon selecting virtual staining station 925 (step605), a user may be presented with a supplemental component view (FIG.13B) providing multiple active components 1400-1460 allowing userselection of a supplemental view of a virtual H&E staining station, avirtual advanced staining station, a virtual special staining station,and kits and reagents, among others (step 610). Because additionaldrilldown options may be available from this laboratory stationcomponent (step 615: yes), a user may again make a selection of anotheractive components (e.g., active components 1400-1460) (step 605). Uponselection of an additional active component (e.g., 1425), a user mayagain drilldown to a supplemental component view of a laboratory station(e.g., H&E staining station 1430 as shown in FIG. 13C) (step 610). Oncedrilled down to a desired level, (step 615: no) a user may continue tostep 620. One of skill in the art will recognize upon review of thepresent disclosure that numerous other configurations are possible. Forexample, prior to reaching a desired level associated with a laboratorystation, selections may be available to allow a user to view informationassociated with higher level components.

Once a desired supplemental component has been reached, informationrelated to that supplemental component may be displayed as well asadditional active components 1010, which may enable another userselection related to the supplemental component view associated with avirtual laboratory station (step 620). As described above, a specimenmay undergo one or more processes at each physical lab station. Wheresuch additional information related to a laboratory station isavailable, additional active components 1010 may include a collection ofactive components configured to enable a user selection with regard to apredetermined number of processing stages associated with the selectedlaboratory station (step 625: yes). Upon receiving a user selection ofan additional active component, specimen indicator may perform a visualindication of a process associated with the selection (e.g., move to aparticular area of the station), and workflow server 155 may causeadditional information related to the selected virtual laboratorystation to be displayed at text component 1020 (step 630). Informationdisplayed may include, for example, details of the process performed,laboratory devices utilized in the process, methods for improving theprocess, and any other desired information related to the selectedlaboratory station.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9B, additional active components 1010 mayinclude an arrow component, and two numbered components (e.g., 1 and 2).Where a user desires to see a step by step of the workflow associatedwith the current laboratory station, and obtain related information toeach step, the user may select the arrow component as desired, and eachprocess in the current laboratory station may be displayed within theinterface and described in text component 1020. Alternatively, if userwishes to review an individual process associated with the currentlyselected virtual laboratory station, the user may click one of theavailable numbered components (e.g., 1 and/or 2) to be taken directly toa data and description associated with the selected step.

Each virtual laboratory station may include one or more activecomponents allowing receipt of a user selection in accordance with step630. For examples related to each laboratory station, see FIGS. 9B, 10B,11B, 12B, 13C, and 14B-C. Note that although exemplary active componentsare shown as sub-areas of each virtual laboratory station, activecomponents may include the full virtual laboratory station area, orpartial portions of a virtual laboratory station area.

In some embodiments user selections may be enabled for viewing dataassociated with an actual physical specimen present in the selectedvirtual lab station. For example, FIGS. 14A-C depict views of anexemplary virtual imaging station 930. Image data associated with aspecimen which has been imaged at imaging station 145, may be availablefor online viewing from within virtual imaging station 930. A user maytherefore select specimen viewing component 1500 and may then beprovided image and other data obtained at imaging station 125 related toa particular specimen. Similarly, a user may select to view a report fora particular specimen (e.g., including diagnosis/prognosis data). Wheredata for such a report is available (e.g., stored in workflow database160), virtual lab station 930 may include specimen report component1510. Upon selecting specimen report component 1510, a user may beprovided a report, for example via analytical modules 203.

Similar functionality may be available at each virtual laboratorystation associated with virtual laboratory 900, although not shown. Forexample, slide data associated with a physical specimen currentlysectioned at sectioning station 125 may be available for online viewingfrom within virtual sectioning station 920. One of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that similar options may be available from within allvirtual laboratory stations as desired.

Further, virtual laboratory stations 905-930 may be configured todemonstrate a workflow and workflow data associated with relatedphysical laboratory stations using visual components and cues such aszoom-in effects, zoom-out effects, popup dialogs, drilldown effects,text cues, indicator arrows, and/or motion effects. FIG. 15A is anexemplary depiction of management workstation 805 in virtual laboratorydisplay mode. For example, workflow indicator 960 may highlight amodeled workflow through virtual laboratory stations associated withvirtual laboratory 900. Upon receiving a user selection of a virtuallaboratory station (e.g., virtual imaging station 930), specimenindicator 940 may become animated and move in accord with the currentlymodeled workflow indicated by workflow indicator 960. As specimenindicator 940 follows workflow indicator 960 through each virtuallaboratory station, specimen indicator 940 may change state based on astate at each virtual laboratory station. For example, where a userselects virtual imaging station 930, specimen indicator 940 may moveinto virtual receiving and accessioning station 905 and appear as a jarwith request list. Specimen indicator 940 may pause there for apredetermined period and then move to virtual grossing station 910. Atgrossing station 910, specimen indicator 940 may change appearance to alabeled specimen cassette. Specimen indicator 940 may again pause, andthen move to virtual tissue processing and embedding station 915, whereits appearance may change to indicate a paraffinized specimen block ontop of a labeled specimen cassette. Specimen indicator 940 may againpause, and then move to virtual sectioning station 920, where itsappearance may change to indicate a labeled glass slide. Specimenindicator 940 may again pause, and then move to staining station 925,where its appearance may change to indicate a colored and labeled glassslide. Specimen indicator 940 may again pause, and then move to virtualimaging station 930, where its appearance may change to indicate alabeled printout or report of an imaged slide. More or fewer indicationsof workflow may occur based on a modeled workflow and administratordesires.

Virtual laboratory stations 905-930 may be configured to demonstratesupply data associated with physical laboratory stations. As shown inFIG. 13C, to demonstrate the supply data, virtual laboratory stations905-930 may use a visual component and/or cue 1012 (e.g., zoom-ineffects, zoom-out effects, popup dialogs, drilldown effects, text cues,indicator arrows, and/or motion effects). It is contemplated that thesupply data may be represented textually (e.g., reagent level=30/35 mL)or graphically (e.g., using a chart, bar, meter, color, etc.). In oneembodiment, a popup dialog 1014 may be associated with a particularlaboratory device. For example, popup dialog 1014 may be associated witha stainer in virtual laboratory 900. Popup dialog 1014 may appear nextto and indicate the reagent levels within the physical stainer using abar graphic (i.e., height of bar changes as level of reagent changes).In another example, a refrigerator located in a virtual laboratorystation may flash if the supplies contained in the physical refrigeratorfall below a threshold. Specifically, the refrigerator may flash yellowif the supplies in the physical refrigerator fall below a firstthreshold, and the refrigerator may flash red if the supplies in thephysical refrigerator fall below a second threshold. The laboratorydevices located in virtual laboratory stations 905-930 may also includeone or more active components 1016, which upon selection, allow a userto order more supplies in desired quantities. For example, the activecomponent may link to a popup window with data entry fields usable forentering a quantity and/or type of a desired supply. The order for moresupplies may be communicated via network 101 to a supply room or anoutside vendor.

Virtual laboratory stations 905-930 may also be configured to allowcontrol of one or more laboratory devices. In one embodiment shown inFIG. 13C, each laboratory device displayed in virtual laboratorystations 905-930 may include an active component 1018 that causes toappear or links to a control panel 1022 configured to control operationof the laboratory device. For example, an active component 1018associated with virtual stainer located in virtual staining station 925may link to a control panel 1022. Control panel 1022 may include one ormore active components 1024 configured to control operation of aphysical stainer located in a physical staining station. Alternatively,rather than linking to control panel 1022, active component 1018 maylink to a separate application configured to operate the laboratorydevice (e.g., a stainer software). Selecting the active componentassociated with the laboratory device may cause a separate applicationto spawn in a new window (e.g., spawn in place of control panel 1022).This may allow the user to link to and run separate instrument specificapplications that may not be integrated into virtual laboratory 900(e.g., software packages from various manufacturers). It is contemplatedthat any application that can run in a window may be spawned in virtuallaboratory 900 and/or virtual laboratory stations 905-930.

Virtual laboratory 900 and virtual laboratory stations 905-930 may beconfigured to display warning data related to a warning event. Warningdata may be provided in any view of virtual laboratory 900, such as, forexample, at a high level view of virtual laboratory 900 (e.g., FIG. 8),at a view highlighting one of virtual laboratory stations 905-930 (e.g.,FIG. 9A), or at a supplemental view of a laboratory station 905-930(e.g., FIG. 9B). Warning data may be provided using visual componentsand cues. As shown in FIG. 8, a visual component or cue 1138 (e.g., apopup dialog) 1138 may appear in virtual laboratory 900 and/or virtuallaboratory stations 905-930 providing data regarding the source andnature of the warning event. Popup dialog 1138 may indicate, forexample, that a laboratory device is being used outside of desiredoperating parameters or that a disruption in workflow is likely tooccur. Warning events may include, for example, an incubation timerunning too long, expiration of a reagent in a stainer, a cassetteprinter running out of cassettes during a run, a power outage, a stainercover being left open for too long, a temperature inside a stainer beingoutside of a desired range, and other warning events known in the art.For example, popup dialog 1138 may appear on virtual laboratory 900 andindicate that a temperature within a stainer in virtual staining station925 is outside of a desired range. Popup dialog 1138 may also provide alink 1148 to virtual staining station 925. Selection of link 1148 maycause virtual staining station 925 to display. As seen in FIG. 13C,control panel 1022 may appear next to the stainer in virtual stainingstation 925, which includes one or more active components 1024configured to control operation of the stainer (e.g., allows the user toshut down the stainer, discontinue the current staining operation,etc.). It is also contemplated that workflow server 155 mayautomatically control the laboratory device in order to remedy the causeof the warning. For example, workflow server 155 may automatically shutdown the stainer if it detects that the stainer is running outside ofdesired operating conditions.

Virtual laboratory 900 and/or virtual laboratory stations 905-930 may beconfigured to display service information. At least some of the serviceinformation may be derived from sensors 102 associated with thelaboratory devices. As shown in FIG. 8, in one embodiment of virtuallaboratory 900 and/or virtual laboratory stations 905-930, a visualcomponent and/or cue 1248 may display the service information (e.g.,indicating a need for servicing of a particular physical laboratorydevice). Visual component or cue 1248 may be associated with one or moreactive components 1258 that allow an operator to take an action (e.g.,request service from a technician, discontinue operation of thelaboratory device, etc.). For example, when a laboratory device, such asa stainer, needs a diagnostic, a pop-up window 1268 may appear invirtual laboratory 900 and/or virtual laboratory stations 905-930requesting authorization for a remote diagnostic of the stainer. A usermay click on active element 1258 in pop-up window 1268 and provideauthorization for the remote diagnostic. Virtual laboratory 900 and/orvirtual laboratory stations 905-930 may also request user authorizationto run automated servicing functions of the laboratory devices, such asauto-cleaning functions, software update functions, etc. It iscontemplated that workflow server 155 may also automatically control theservicing of the laboratory devices. For example, workflow server 155may automatically contact a technician to request servicing of aparticular laboratory device. Workflow server 155 may request serviceupon detection of a service issue or upon a scheduled periodic basis.

It is contemplated that servicing status data and/or historicalservicing data may be displayed in visual component and/or cue 1248 ofvirtual laboratory 900 and/or virtual laboratory stations 905-930. Forexample, a virtual laboratory station may display a last date ofservice, a status of a service request, a mean time between failure, andother service or service related information for one or more laboratorydevices.

Virtual laboratory 900 and virtual laboratory stations 905-930 mayinclude video functionality. As shown in FIG. 14B, virtual laboratory900 and virtual laboratory stations 905-930 may include one or moreactive components 1278 that link to videos that demonstrate, forexample, an exemplary workflow for a given virtual laboratory station.Virtual laboratory stations 905-930 may also include one or more activecomponents 1278 that link to videos that provide an instructionaldemonstration of the workflow for a particular laboratory station.Additionally, virtual laboratory 900 and/or virtual laboratory stations905-930 may include links 1288 to videos for specific laboratory devices(e.g., microscopes, stainers, barcode readers, printers, etc.). Forexample, a particular laboratory device may include an active component1288 that links to an instructional video regarding operation of thatlaboratory device (e.g., instructional video regarding operation of astainer). It is contemplated that the videos may be used forinformational, training, and/or instructional purposes.

It is contemplated that virtual laboratory 900 and/or virtual laboratorystations 905-930 may include one or more active components 1512 thatlink to one or more cameras 103 (e.g., video cameras, still cameras)located in the physical laboratory (see FIG. 2). Cameras 103 may providereal-time video feedback from the physical laboratory. For example, anactive component related to virtual grossing station 910 may link to andprovide live video feedback from a camera 103 located in the physicalgrossing station. Each virtual laboratory station may link to a camera103 that is located to observe the related physical laboratory stationor stations. Virtual laboratory 900 and/or virtual laboratory stations905-930 may also link to cameras 103 configured to observe a specificmachine or operation. For example, virtual laboratory 900 and/or virtuallaboratory stations 905-930 may link to a camera 103 that is configuredto observe the sample as it passes through a staining operation.

Virtual laboratory 900, virtual laboratory stations 905-930, and thevirtual laboratory devices contained therein may be flexible and allowfor reconfiguration. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 13B, a user mayselect a reconfiguration mode from a menu 1528 associated with virtuallaboratory 900. In reconfiguration mode, a user may be able to add orremove laboratory devices from virtual laboratory stations 905-930. Forexample, in a given virtual laboratory station, a user may be able toreplace a high volume label printer with a series of smaller labelprinters (in order to accommodate a corresponding change in the physicallaboratory). Similarly, a user may also be able to update a model of avirtual stainer in accordance with an updated model of a physicalstainer. Additionally, a user may be able to perform one or moresoftware updates for existing physical laboratory devices (i.e., updatethe software that operates a given laboratory device). One of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize upon consideration of the presentdisclosure that virtual laboratory 900 may be configured to allow fornumerous other types of updates and modifications, and those describedherein are intended as exemplary.

Returning to FIG. 5, workflow server 155 may receive a request for ananalysis of data associated with a physical laboratory represented byvirtual laboratory 900 (e.g., from management workstation 805) (step530: yes). FIG. 15B is an exemplary depiction of management workstation805 in data summary display mode following receipt of a user selectionto view management and/or economic data. Similar interfaces may beprovided by workflow server at any desired location via network 101 orother suitable method.

Virtual laboratory 900 may include an analysis active component 970enabling a selection by a user indicating a desire for management and/oreconomic data associated with a physical laboratory. Such informationmay include, for example, data related to at least one laboratorydevice, a job identifier, a time per operation, a user identifier, asuccess identifier, laboratory device service information, laboratorydevice status, physical laboratory economic data, lean workflow data,and/or potential improvement data. Such data may be provided byanalytical modules 203, operational modules 202, and interface modules201, via workflow server 155. It is also contemplated that external datamay be provided via a connection of workflow server 155 to an outsidenetwork. For example, workflow server 155 may connect to outside serversconfigured to provide data from additional physical laboratories.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary method for providing work flowdata associated with a physical laboratory. Workflow server 155 mayreceive a request for laboratory data and/or data analysis (step 705).In some embodiments, data associated with individual laboratory stationsmay be accessed via management workstation 805. In such embodiments,when a particular laboratory station has been selected by a user, forexample, using methods described above with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6,a laboratory station specific request may be initiated (step 710: yes).Upon receiving a selection for an analysis of data associated with aparticular laboratory station a station ID may be determined based on acurrently selected virtual laboratory station through virtual laboratory900. For example, imaging station 145 and virtual imaging station 930may be linked via a station ID in workflow database 160. Upondetermining that virtual imaging station 930 has been selected by userand a subsequent request for data initiated, analytical modules 203 mayretrieve data from workflow database 160 according to the ID associatedwith imaging station 145 and virtual imaging station 130 (step 720).

Alternatively, a user may wish to view a broader dataset associated witha physical laboratory. In such an example, a request for data may bereceived where a user has not selected a particular laboratory stationfrom virtual laboratory 900 (step 710: no). Therefore, analyticalmodules 203 may retrieve data from workflow database 160 for the entirephysical lab (step 725).

Retrieved data may be processed using various data analysis algorithmsprovided with analytical modules 203 (step 730). For example, analysismay be performed on laboratory station specific workflow data to provideresults related to operator efficiency, machine efficiency, and averagecost per operation at a particular laboratory station. In anotherexample data associated with a physical laboratory may be analyzed toprovide an executive summary of operational efficiency through thephysical laboratory. Numerous other results may be obtained throughanalysis of workflow data related to a physical laboratory. For example,operational times for a laboratory or laboratory station may be averagedover a time period (e.g., a year), operator downtime may be determined,success rates by operator and station may be obtained, and errors may beanalyzed on a station and laboratory basis, among other things.

Following analysis of workflow data according a user request, workflowserver 155 may provide the analyzed data to the user according to theuser's selections (step 735). Workflow server may utilize interfacemodules 201 and data analytical modules 203, among other things, forproviding the analyzed data to a user.

FIGS. 15C-H are depictions of exemplary report interface 1600 forproviding analyzed data to a user consistent with embodiments of thepresent disclosure. Report interface 1600 may include report selectorgroup 1605. Report selector group may include one or more activecomponents enabling receipt of a user selection. Such a user selectionmay relate to a type of data a user wishes to see and/or how the userwishes to view the data (e.g., what type of report). For example, datamay be represented in tabular, chart, or other suitable form.

FIG. 15C is an exemplary executive summary report. Such a report mayinclude data such as, for example, cost per laboratory test, labor hourdata, and time analyses. Utilizing active components associated withreport selector group 1605, a user may select another type of reportinterface such as an example workflow overview as shown at FIG. 15D.Such an interface may include additional active components enablingreceipt of additional user selections. Analysis selectors 1610-1625 mayallow a user to change the type of analysis performed at step 730. Forexample, a user may select to analyze data based on workflow, cost,and/or time, among others. Upon such a selection, workflow server 155may access analytical modules 203 for providing the analysis requestedby the user and interface modules 201 to provide report interface 1600.

Additional active components may also be provided, including forexample, pushbuttons, dropdown lists, radio buttons, etc. As shown inFIG. 15D, dropdown components 1630 and 1640 may enable a user to furthercustomize data displayed in report interface 1600.

FIGS. 15D-F are depictions of exemplary report interfaces 1600 analyzingvarious laboratory workflow data based varying user selections. FIGS.15G and H are depictions of an exemplary report interfaces 1600analyzing success rates and errors within a laboratory.

Report interface 1600 may also include reports comparing the performanceof one or more physical labs, laboratory stations, or laboratory devicesto industry standards. In one embodiment, workflow server 155 may beconfigured to receive industry standard data which is used by reportinterface 1600 to create a comparative report. For example, thecomparative report may display operator efficiency data, machineefficiency data, cost per operation data, time per operation data,success rate per time period data, etc. as compared to correspondingindustry standard data. It is contemplated that the industry standarddata may be received directly from competitors, from a third partyvendor, or from any other source. The industry standard data may be anaverage of competitors in the industry or, when available, data relatedto a specific competitor.

Report interface 1600 may also include one or more reports displayingquality control information. For example, a quality control report mayinclude information on usage of a laboratory device during a given timeperiod, a process control diagram, mean time between failuresinformation, and other quality control information known in the art. Thequality control report may include incidents related to specificlaboratory devices that resulted in warnings. The quality control reportmay include the date of the warnings, the nature of the warnings, theseverity of the warnings, and other related information. The qualitycontrol report may also display trend data related to quality controlfor the entire lab, one or more laboratory stations, or one or morelaboratory devices over a given period of time.

Upon exiting report interface 1600, GUI module 205 may return the modifya display to once again show virtual laboratory interface 900 (as shownin FIG. 15A), or any other suitable interface may be provided (step540).

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize upon consideration ofthe present disclosure that many methods may be used for analyzing,customizing, and providing laboratory workflow data to a user.Therefore, those methods described herein are not intended to belimiting.

Utilizing systems and methods of the present disclosure it may bepossible to model, visualize, and analyze workflows associated with aphysical laboratory. By enabling such modeling, visualization, andanalysis, improvements may be made to previously existing laboratoryworkflows and cost savings, among other things, may be realized.Further, systems and methods of the present disclosure may be utilizedas a training tool and/or a sales tool for demonstrating workflow, andpotential improvements to efficiency and reductions in cost throughmodifications to laboratory workflow.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from consideration of the specification and practice of theinvention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification andexamples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spiritof the invention being indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for controlling physical laboratorystations, the system comprising: a workflow server configured tocommunicate with a physical laboratory station located within a physicallaboratory to receive data related to the physical laboratory station;and an interface component remotely located from the physical laboratorystation and configured to: display a virtual laboratory that is agraphical representation of the physical laboratory, the virtuallaboratory includes a virtual laboratory station and a position of thevirtual laboratory station within the virtual laboratory corresponds toa location of a physical laboratory station within the physicallaboratory; display a supplemental view of the virtual laboratorystation that provides supplemental information on processing of a tissuespecimen at the corresponding physical laboratory station; generate aspecimen indicator to overlap the virtual laboratory station within thevirtual laboratory, the specimen indicator is to change based on aqualified current specimen state of the tissue specimen duringprocessing at the physical laboratory; monitor the physical laboratorystation; and in response to detecting a warning event at the physicallaboratory station, enable remote control of a laboratory device at thephysical laboratory station to remedy the warning event.
 2. The systemof claim 1, wherein interface component is configured to display asupplemental view of the virtual laboratory station upon receiving auser selection of the virtual laboratory station within the virtuallaboratory.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein interface component isconfigured to display a supplemental view of warning data correspondingto the warning event in response to detecting the warning event.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the physical laboratory device is a stainer.5. The system of claim 1, wherein the physical laboratory device is acassette printer.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the physicallaboratory device is a refrigerator.
 7. The system of claim 1, whereinthe interface component is further configured to animate the specimenindicator to demonstrate a history of the processing of the tissuespecimen.
 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a database incommunication with the workflow server and configured to store the datarelated to the physical laboratory station.
 9. The system of claim 1,wherein the supplemental information includes at least one of an averagelabor time, an average machine time, a success rate, a cost, laboratorydevice service information, laboratory device status information,physical laboratory economic data, lean workflow data, and potentialimprovement data.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the workflow serveris configured to communicate with the physical laboratory stationthrough a network.
 11. The system of claim 10, further comprising aremote access server configured to provide specimen data of the tissuespecimen to a location remote from the physical laboratory.
 12. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the specimen data includes at least one of aspecimen status and a specimen image.
 13. The system of claim 1, whereinthe interface component is configured to display a visual indication ofa workflow through the physical laboratory.
 14. The system of claim 13,wherein the visual indication includes at least one of a zoom-in effect,a zoom-out effect, a popup dialog, a drilldown effect, a text cue, anarrow, or a motion effect.
 15. The system of claim 13, wherein theinterface component is further configured to enable modification of theworkflow to generate modified information that includes at least one ofan estimated labor time, an estimated machine time, an estimated successrate, and an estimated cost.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein theinterface component is further configured to compare the supplementalinformation with the modified information.
 17. The system of claim 13,wherein the interface component is configured to: model the workflow ina virtual laboratory diagram as a first result; receive informationrelated to a proposed workflow associated with the physical laboratory;model a proposed workflow in the virtual laboratory diagram based on theinformation related to the proposed workflow as a second result; comparethe first result and the second result; and provide a summary based onthe comparison.
 18. The system of claim 1, wherein the supplementalinformation corresponds to at least one of laboratory device serviceinformation, laboratory device status, physical laboratory economicdata, lean workflow data, and potential improvement data.
 19. The systemof claim 1, wherein the supplemental information includes at least oneof an average labor time, an average machine time, a success rate, and acost.
 20. The system of claim 1, wherein the supplemental informationincludes an economic summary related to the physical laboratory.